Centre pushes greater State participation, modern infrastructure and rural entrepreneurship through Krishi Vigyan Kendras

New Delhi, September 7, 2026: The Government has stepped up efforts to strengthen Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) through greater Centre-State coordination, infrastructure upgrades, skill development and agricultural entrepreneurship. Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the action plan for KVKs, with a focus on upgrading 300 priority KVKs by March 2027 and establishing Incubation-cum-Skill Centres across all KVKs by December 2028.

The review meeting examined implementation of recommendations related to KVKs emerging from the 5th Chief Secretaries’ Conference 2025, including infrastructure, funding, staffing, incubation, technology dissemination and district-level agricultural programmes.

Key Highlights

• 300 priority KVKs targeted for infrastructure and logistics upgradation by March 2027.
• Incubation-cum-Skill Centres planned across all KVKs by December 2028.
• States and Union Territories being encouraged to provide greater financial and institutional support.
• Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Chhattisgarh have received Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) from universities/KVKs for infrastructure upgradation.
• KVKs are being mapped with agro-based enterprises, technical institutions and district-specific agricultural opportunities.
• Proposed reforms covering pay, allowances and promotions of KVK personnel have received Department of Expenditure approval.
• States have been urged to fill vacancies and ensure timely release of funds, particularly for seasonal programmes.
• Under the 2026–27 Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLD) programme for pulses and oilseeds, activities are underway across 24 States through 353 KVKs/districts, covering a target area of 12,349 hectares; 9,750 hectares has already been achieved.
• KVKs will also support implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM DDKY) through district-specific action plans and capacity-building initiatives.

KVKs Positioned as Rural Innovation and Skill Hubs

The proposed incubation centres could expand the role of KVKs beyond agricultural extension by connecting farmers and rural communities with agro-based enterprises, technical partners, skills training and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The Government has stressed that stronger KVKs will require modern infrastructure, adequate manpower, timely funding and closer coordination between the Centre, States, agricultural universities and other stakeholders.

The initiative is intended to bring scientific agricultural knowledge, improved crop varieties, modern technologies, skills and innovation closer to farmers, while creating greater opportunities for rural entrepreneurship.

Impact on Hospitality, Food and Travel & Tourism

The strengthening of KVKs could have a wider impact across the food and hospitality supply chain, particularly as agricultural innovation and rural entrepreneurship influence the availability, quality and diversity of local produce.

For food and hospitality: Improved agricultural practices, access to better varieties and stronger farmer-industry linkages could support more consistent supplies of pulses, oilseeds, horticultural products and other regional ingredients for hotels, restaurants and food businesses.

For culinary tourism: Greater focus on district-specific agricultural opportunities and rural entrepreneurship can strengthen the ecosystem around local food, farm experiences, regional cuisines and agri-tourism, giving destinations more opportunities to develop food-led tourism products.

For rural tourism: Incubation and skill centres could contribute to new rural enterprises linked to farm visits, local food experiences, traditional products, processing and community-based tourism.

For sustainable hospitality: Stronger local agricultural ecosystems can potentially encourage hotels and restaurants to build more regional sourcing models, shortening supply chains while increasing the visibility of local producers.

Industry Takeaway

The KVK expansion is primarily an agriculture and rural-development initiative, but its effects can extend into food, hospitality and tourism. By positioning KVKs as platforms for technology transfer, skills, innovation and rural entrepreneurship, the Government is creating infrastructure that could support stronger farm-to-food connections and new rural tourism opportunities.

For hospitality and tourism businesses, the emerging opportunity lies in connecting agricultural production with culinary experiences, local sourcing, rural entrepreneurship and destination development.